Fremont Solstice Parade 2011

Today was a wet, dreary, 50-something-degree Seattle day. So what? We celebrated the upcoming Summer Solstice anyway!

(Can someone remind me again what summer is?)

Aaron and I took over my garage for two hours of painting prior to the Fremont Solstice Parade. We used inexpensive foam brushes to apply five colors of non-toxic textile acrylic paint, which we got from Artist & Craftsman Supply in the U District. I wanted to be really bright and colorful — mission accomplished!

We finished painting with about 15 minutes to spare before we had to meet up with the painted Solstice Cyclists at the head of the parade. It was freezing outside, but we zoomed over to Fremont and made it just in time!

Although most painted cyclists in the parade were partially or fully nude, we covered up all the parts you'd normally cover, and I was perfectly comfortable that way. The point of the parade — which is put on by the Fremont Arts Council — is to be artistic and have fun. We did both!

I expected to feel pretty awkward riding my bike next to completely naked people, but I was surprised to find that it wasn't awkward at all! The parade atmosphere was incredibly open and fun, and although it was a little shocking to see so many taboo body parts at first, I quickly got over it. I probably would have felt more awkward as a spectator, to be honest.

Even though my lady-parts were covered, my bright paint attracted a lot of attention, and I noticed a lot of photographers taking my picture. I'm very glad those pictures are G-rated!

It was such a blast to ride through downtown Fremont with all the crazy painted cyclists. The sidewalks were incredibly packed with smiling and cheering spectators, and it was fun to see the amazing effort put into many of the cyclists' paint designs and costumes. For example, here's a fairly tame photo of women painted as bees. Cute!

We circled through downtown twice before Aaron and I decided to head home. It was so, so chilly!! The adventure was well worth it, though... as long as I don't catch a cold right before my half-marathon!

Why watch the parade when you can be in it? I'm not sure I'll be able to spectate this parade now that I know how much fun it is to participate.

Here's hoping for better weather next year!

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Why Watch the (Naked) Parade When You Can Be In It?

I’ve never really liked parades. I always see people camping out along parade routes with folding chairs and coolers hours ahead of time, waiting excitedly for the floats and dancers and clowns to arrive. I just don’t get it.

I thought it was because clowns scare the crap out of me.

While that’s true, I realized the real reason last summer, when I was invited to participate in a parade. I had a blast riding on a float, waving to spectators, handing out balloons to children and throwing candy into the crowd. I was all like, hey, I LOVE parades!

What I realized is that I don’t like standing on the sidelines watching others have all the fun; I want to be a part of the action!

So a week ago, when Aaron suggested we watch the Fremont Solstice Parade this weekend, I responded with, “Nope – we’re gonna be in the parade.”

The main draw of the Fremont Solstice Parade is the Solstice Cyclists, a group of folks who lead the parade on bicycles sporting full body paint. Many of them, famously, are completely naked.

Sounds like fun, right??

It took some convincing, but Aaron finally agreed to ride in the parade. We’ll sport full body paint along with subtle undergarments that’ll show nothing more than what you’d see at any public beach.

(Two reasons: There’s a very high chance that co-workers will be among the spectators – awkwaaard!; I want to post pictures on this blog, and I’m not in the business of naked photos!)

Even though we won’t be showing the “full monty,” it still takes some courage to sport body paint and little clothing in a very popular parade. And not everyone appreciates the tradition; some online commenters describe the painted cyclists as “a bunch of narcissists attempting to draw attention to themselves,” and the parade itself as “public perversion in a Christian nation.”

Other commenters who enjoy the parade say, “The murmur in the crowd [last year] was, ‘I need to lose weight and enter next year,’” and, “It’s a Seattle tradition that’s fun, colorful and popular... Don’t like it? Don’t come.”

I agree with the latter folks. Plus, this little adventure has all the right answers to the questions I typically ask myself when I decide whether to participate in anything new:

Would I have been too afraid to do this a year or two ago? Will it be fun and exciting? Will it be scary? Will I come out of this experience with more confidence after conquering a fear? Will I regret it if I just stand on the sidelines and watch it pass me by?

Fremont Solstice Parade, here I come!

Do you participate in most things, or do you like to watch instead? What fun events have you watched that you’d like to be a part of next time?

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New here?

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